Drive mode selection device and drive mode selection method

a technology of drive mode and selection device, which is applied in the direction of navigation instruments, cycle equipment, instruments, etc., can solve the problem of increasing the torque required to drive the power-assisted bicycl

Active Publication Date: 2020-05-26
ORMON CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent allows for the selection of an appropriate assistance device for a user who needs electric power. This helps to make the assistance more effective.

Problems solved by technology

A power-assisted bicycle is heavy due to the motor and a battery provided therein, and therefore, when the battery runs down, an amount of torque required to drive the power-assisted bicycle increases greatly.

Method used

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  • Drive mode selection device and drive mode selection method
  • Drive mode selection device and drive mode selection method
  • Drive mode selection device and drive mode selection method

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0047]

[0048]A control device 100 (a drive mode selection device according to the present invention) according to a first embodiment is a device for specifying an assist strength by issuing a control command to an assist unit 200 (the assistance device) provided in a power-assisted bicycle. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0049]First, the assist unit 200 will be described.

[0050]The assist unit 200 is a unit for providing driving force in a power-assisted bicycle, and includes a battery, a motor, a control circuit, a speed sensor, a torque sensor, and so on.

[0051]The assist unit 200 determines an output of the motor on the basis of input (a vehicle speed and a torque exerted on the pedals) acquired from the speed sensor and the torque sensor, and assists a rider by driving the motor using electric power acquired from the battery.

[0052]Further, the assist unit 200 is configured to be capable of swi...

second embodiment

[0090]In the first embodiment, an assist mode table created on the basis of design values was used. In a second embodiment, on the other hand, the assist mode table is generated dynamically on the basis of actual measurement values. Note that function blocks having identical functions to the first embodiment have been allocated identical reference numerals, and description thereof has been omitted.

[0091]In the second embodiment, the power calculation unit 106 transmits the calculated average power consumption to the mode determination unit 107 periodically. The mode determination unit 107 collects the transmitted average power consumption values, and updates the record corresponding to the current assist mode on the assist mode table.

[0092]For example, actual measurement values of the average power consumption in the “standard” assist mode are collected, and when the actual measurement value is calculated at 0.035 Wh / m, a value of “at least 0.03”, which corresponds to the standard m...

third embodiment

[0095]An assistance device according to a third embodiment is a device that is attached to the body in order to assist an operation performed by a person using motive power from a motor. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device 300 according to the third embodiment.

[0096]An assist unit 400 according to the third embodiment is attached to the body in order to assist muscle power. This type of device is also known as a motor function improvement device or the like. The assist unit 400 includes a battery, a motor, a control circuit, a torque sensor, and so on. The assist unit 400 differs from that of the first embodiment only in the assistance target, and the assist modes and so on are identical.

[0097]Further, an operation management device 401 is a computer for managing operations. The operation management device 401 manages the extent to which an assistance target operation remains unfinished by communicating with the assist unit 400. Note that...

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PUM

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Abstract

A drive mode selection device for selecting a drive mode of an assistance device that assists a user by generating motive power using electric power from a battery, and that can be driven in a plurality of drive modes having different outputs, the drive mode selection device comprises a task information acquisition unit configured to acquire task information, which is information relating to a predetermined task to be executed by the assistance device; a remaining charge acquisition unit configured to acquire a remaining charge of the battery; a power estimation unit configured to estimate a power amount discrepancy on the basis of the task information and the remaining charge of the battery; and a mode selection unit configured to select the drive mode on the basis of the estimation result.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a technique for controlling a device that assists a person using motive power.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Bicycles (power-assisted bicycles) having a motor for providing additional driving force are widely known. A power-assisted bicycle is heavy due to the motor and a battery provided therein, and therefore, when the battery runs down, an amount of torque required to drive the power-assisted bicycle increases greatly. Hence, a user of the power-assisted bicycle must manage a state of charge of the battery appropriately to ensure that the battery does not run down on the go.[0003]A power-assisted bicycle typically has a plurality of travel modes in which different degrees of assistance are provided. For example, a mode in which powerful assistance can be provided over a short travel distance, a mode in which the assist force is weaker but the travel distance is extended, and so on are often provided. The user of the power-assisted bicycl...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityPatents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B62M6/45B25J11/00B60L15/20B60L58/12B60L50/20B62M6/90B62J99/00G01C21/34
CPCB62M6/90B60L58/12B60L15/2045B25J11/00B60L50/20B62M6/45B62J99/00B60L2260/52B60L2200/12B60L2260/54B60L2240/54G01C21/3469B60L2240/42Y02T10/7258Y02T10/7275Y02T10/64Y02T10/72Y02T90/16Y02T10/70B62J43/13B62J50/22
InventorTAKATSUKA, HIROMASAWADA, JUNICHIKASAI, KAZUKI
OwnerORMON CORP